Michael J. Akerson

Michael J. Akerson joined the firm over twenty-three years ago. Since that time he has fostered a diverse and successful litigation practice, focusing upon complex litigation and representing both individuals and corporations in all stages of litigation and in pre-litigation strategy. He is recognized as one of the area’s most experienced civil, administrative and criminal litigators in the field of public official misconduct cases. Another large component of his practice is representing individuals involved in serious personal injury matters involving automobiles, as well as those injured due to workplace misconduct, including harassment and discrimination. He also counsels numerous corporations on a variety of corporate business issues as well as providing residential and corporate transactional services.

Mike has tried in excess of 200 cases. He has significant experience in trying matters before state and federal courts, most state agencies, and a variety of administrative fora. He has proved successful many times over at trial and also at defending a judge or jury’s favorable determinations at the appellate level at the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the First Circuit Court of Appeals.

The following case summary offers a preview of the depth of Mike’s representation of one public employee: A municipal employee was investigated for criminal and administrative misconduct. No criminal charges resulted from the investigation, yet the municipal employer discharged him after a hearing before the City’s Mayor and the alleged victim sued in federal court for civil rights violations. After a lengthy employment arbitration, the arbitrator reinstated the employee, awarding back wages and benefits. The case was appealed to the Superior Court, the Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court and ultimately the United States Supreme Court. In the end, ten years after the initial incident, the reinstated employee received a monsterous back pay award given the arbitrator’s findings of no misconduct and the SJC decision created new case law in terms of employee’s rights. As a result, Attorney Akerson was selected one of ten Lawyers of the Year for 2001 by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, the state’s leading legal periodical. In 2002, the Massachusetts Police Association also recognized Mike for his efforts in successfully protecting employee rights in the workplace.

Mike’s cases have been reported in all of Massachusetts’ major newspapers, including the Boston Globe, Worcester Telegram, Boston Herald, NewBedford Standard Times, Springfield Union News – Republican, Berkshire Eagle, Fall River Herald News, as well many other local newspapers statewide. He has also appeared on numerous radio and television news shows regarding cases he has handled.

As a graduate of Connecticut College and Western New England College School of Law, Mike has broad connections throughout the local community, both legal and otherwise. As a result, he often receives attorney referrals for complicated litigation cases. As a partner in the firm, Mike stands ready to usher the firm forward, accepting new legal challenges.

Litigation Percentage

70% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions

Massachusetts, 1991

U.S. District Court District of Massachusetts, 1991

U.S. Court of Appeals 1st Circuit, 2000

U.S. Supreme Court

Education

Western New England College School of Law, Springfield, Massachusetts
J.D.